Chapter 7: The Dragons' Twelve Elders' Grand Blessing
In the vast expanse of the sky, Owen tightly grasped the scales of the ice dragon, letting the cold wind whistle past his ears, his hair and robe fluttering wildly in the gusts.
Barlo's massive form, with wings unfurled, seemed to cover half the sky.
The dragon's scales, like finely carved ice crystals, gleamed with a cold light.
Its eyes were like two deep sapphires, mysterious and icy.
Riding on the broad back of the dragon, Owen gazed down at the world below — a land covered in white snow, shimmering silver under the sunlight.
Although Novalia was in the throes of winter, his mood was as pleasant as spring.
His arrival in isekai seemed predestined.
From the moment he stepped into this world, a strong sense of belonging welled up inside him. Follow current novels at novelhall.com)
He found himself effortlessly understanding the language and sensing the elemental energy around him.
Never before had Owen felt so at ease.
The harsh cold wind on his face felt as gentle as a spring breeze.
"Barlo, where are we headed?" Owen managed to speak even as they sped through the air.
"We're returning to our gathering place, the Dragon Echo Valley. That's where we dragons truly belong."
...
Dragon Echo Valley, a mystical place hidden atop a mountain range, is the sacred land of all dragons according to legend.
The valley is flanked by sheer cliffs, their peaks perpetually snow-capped, creating a majestic scene against the blue sky, resembling a magnificent painting.
The valley is shrouded in mist, adding to its ethereal, mysterious charm.
Sunlight filters through the gaps in the clouds, casting dappled shadows that add a touch of mystery to this sacred place.
The name Dragon Echo Valley comes from the constant dragon roars echoing throughout the year.
These are the dragons' communication with the heavens and earth, a sound so melodious and powerful that it resonates with every creature stepping into this realm.
At the valley's base lies a vast lake, its water so clear it serves as a giant mirror, reflecting the surrounding mountains and the shadows of flying dragons.
Along the lake's shore is the habitat of the dragons, with their caves carved into the cliffside, both grand and majestic.
The entire Dragon Echo Valley exudes the dragons' majesty, its invisible pressure enough to strike fear into the heart of any intruder, making even their breathing hurried.
The guardians of the dragons, ancient creatures with sharp scales and strong wings, soar here.
He could hear the faint rustling of leaves in the distance, smell the mixed scents of flowers and earth in the night breeze, and even pinpoint their exact origins within the valley.
Owen's skin became exceptionally sensitive, able to feel every subtle change in the air, even the gentle touch of starlight on his skin.
His taste and touch senses were also elevated to unprecedented levels, where even the slightest flavors and textures could evoke rich experiences in his perception.
He felt as if he could taste the sweetness in the air and even sense the flavor of the stellar rays, an indescribably delightful sensation.
Opening his eyes, his pupils seemed to sparkle with stars.
The young dragons and the surrounding dragonfolk were deeply shaken by this scene.
They no longer saw just a human, but a saint blessed with the Stellar Blessing, his aura becoming even more transcendent and mysterious.
Blinking in slight bewilderment, Owen listened as Barlo said with a grin, "This is the Stellar Blessing bestowed upon you by all twelve elders, greatly enhancing your mental strength, which will be greatly beneficial for your future cultivation."
A warm current flowed through Owen's heart as he looked at the twelve imposing elders, feeling immensely grateful.
He silently vowed, "I shall never let down the dragons in this lifetime."
Unaware of Owen's inner thoughts, the elders did not cease their actions.
The dragontongue continued to blossom in the sky, the entire Dragon Echo Valley vibrating as if aiding in transmitting the dragontongue to the deities above.
Owen understood again.
"May your strength be like the tumultuous rivers, aiding you to overcome all difficulties..."
The darkness in the sky began to fade abruptly as a dazzling ray of light sliced through the night, and the sun unexpectedly rose.
The sunlight wasn't blinding; instead, it was warm and peaceful, shining on Owen and bringing a profound sense of serenity.
The sunlight gradually coalesced into a golden light ball, descending slowly from the heavens and casting directly upon Owen.
The light orbited around him, its golden rays penetrating his skin, muscles, bones, and even the depths of his blood and soul.
As the power of the sun infused into him, Owen felt a transformative change in his body.
His muscles became firmer and stronger, as if reforged from molten lava and steel.
His bones seemed to gain the solidity of rock, his blood filled with fiery vitality.
Every breath Owen took was full of power, every heartbeat pumping endless energy.
He slowly lifted a hand, feeling the power in his palm, as if he could easily crush the hardest stone.
The sun climbed higher, its rays illuminating the entire valley, and also highlighting the radiance emanating from within Owen.
Standing there, he resembled an incarnation of the Sun God descended to earth, his figure becoming immensely majestic and revered in the eyes of all the dragonfolk.
Barlo, too, exaggeratedly scrunched up his facial features, muttering to himself, "Both the blessings of the sun and the stars? The elders of our clan have really gone all out. Is it really worth it?"